Gladstone, NJ—September 22, 2003—Katie Gardner of Westlake Village, CA, won the 2003 BET/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Talent Search Final-West, held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, September 17-21.

Gardner rode Karen Healey’s Let’s Twist to finish in front of Megan Edrick of Woodland Hills, CA, who placed second on her Mardi Gras. Third place went to Niki Connor of Rancho Santa Fe, CA on her Incento and fourth place went to Kate Broadbent of Salt Lake City, UT, on Cyrano 80 owned by Staar Jumpers Ltd.

The BET/USET Talent Search Finals on the East and West coasts are open to equitation riders under the age of 21, who have qualified through their placement in regional BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes held throughout the year.

USET veteran show jumping rider Ray Texel and nationally regarded trainer Judy Richter were the judges.

The BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final, one of the nation’s most prestigious equitation competitions, consists of four competition phases designed to provide competitors with a challenging and rigorous final and help the USET identify future international competitors. In the flat phase, riders perform specific tests of their riding skills without jumps; in the gymnastic phase, riders jump combinations of obstacles. During the jumping phase, competitors negotiate a grand prix style jumping course of fences. Only the top four riders return to begin the fourth phase, a ride-off. During this final phase, riders compete with their own horse over a course of jumps, and then ride each of the other entries’ horses over the same course.

Started in 1965 as the USET Medal program, the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search encourages Young Rider development and awards USET Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals to competitors who have won BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes held at horse shows throughout the United States. In 1982, the program incorporated year-end Finals as a further goal.

BET initiated its USET sponsorship program in 1997. Black Entertainment Television and BET On Jazz support the Team’s show jumping program as title sponsor of the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search and as presenting sponsor of the USET Show Jumping Talent Derby held each year at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions.

The 2003 BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East will be held at the USET Headquarters and Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ, October 4-5.

Results -- BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final-West

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers, vaulters and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the Talent Search Finals or the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.